Susan Mele has had her share of roles in stage musicals over the years, but the artistic and managing director of Art Park Players has had her eye on the lead in Hello, Dolly! for years now.

This summer, Mele is getting her shot at it.

She'll be portraying matchmaker Dolly Levi in the Deer Park theater's summer production of Hello Dolly!, which is on stage weekends through July 23 at the Municipal Courts &amp; Theatre Building, 1302 Center St.

"The shows I love are the big musicals," Mele said. "And this is just a great show."

Role of a lifetime

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'Hello, Dolly!'

Where: Art Park Players Dinner Theatre, 1302 Center St., Deer Park

When: July 15 through 17, and July 22 through 23. On Friday and Saturday, dinner is served at 7 p.m. with an 8 p.m. curtain. On Sunday, dinner is served at 1 p.m. with a 2 p.m. curtain

Art Park Players, now toward the end of its 31st season, presents a musical every summer.

"We had done so many of the classics, we decided to go with Hello, Dolly!," director and choreographer RyanBaker said.

"There's something grand and magical about it, but it was written in the 1960s so the dialog is modern and edgy."

Working with Hello, Dolly! fans Mele and Baker has been a treat, assistant director Margo Staley said.

"It's been Susan's lifelong dream to play Dolly, and Ryan loves the movie and the show," Staley said. "Dolly's character is amazing, and all the outfits - it's very pretty, very appealing to the eye."

Baker, who took theater training under Mele, said he can't wait to see her performance.

"I think Susan was born to play this role," he said.

Mele describes herself as "an actress from birth." As a girl, she organized and presented shows from the family garage.

Her first non-residential show setting was the Deer Park Community Center on Sixth Street, where Mele appeared in Frankie &amp; Johnny

"I was in elementary school," Mele said. "It's just what I've always done."

She did get some support along the way, from the third grade teacher who encouraged her to perform to her mother, who supported Mele through countless summer theater camps and high school performances.

Mele has been involved with the Art Park Players for 31 years, beginning with seven years as a volunteer.

It was there where Mele discovered she loves teaching others to perform as much as she enjoys taking the stage herself.

"For me, teaching is about the connection I have with the students and the pure joy I get through working with them," said Mele, who also has portrayed a "Health Hero" for a local hospital and appeared on Star Showcase on KTXH-TV Channel 20.

"You see someone so shy they can't speak," Mele said. "You work with them, and you see them blossom before your eyes."

Mele's interest in Hello, Dolly! is rooted in her long-time admiration of vocalist and actress Barbra Streisand, who starred in the 1969 film version.